The Crimean War - The Battle of Inkerman 1854

The Battle of Inkerman - 5th November 1854. Known as “The Soldiers Battle“ Join my Membership Channel to get exclusive videos (& more) See more videos about the Crimean War: The Battle of Balaclava The Charge of the Light Brigade #militaryhistory #thebattleofinkerman1854 #crimeanwar #victoriacross #thecrimeanwar #battleofinkerman In a 7 hours battle fought in dense fog, 8,000 British soldiers held off an attack by nearly 40,000 Russians. In the confusion of the fog, the battle broke down into individual encounters where it was down to individual soldiers discipline, professionalism and courage rather than Generals conducting the overall movements. 20 Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions of valour conducted that morning. At the end of the 7 hour battle over 2,000 british were dead or wounded . Their Russian opponents had lost 12,000 men. Because of the dense fog, senior officers were unable to control the battle as was normal and it descended hand-to-hand fighting between soldiers. Consequently, The Battle of Inkerman has been called “The Soldier’s Battle” The Battle of Inkerman did not end with a final charge or a heroic last stand. It simply pestered out around 1pm. Both sides were exhausted from nearly 7 hours of almost medieval-style fighting in the smoke and the fog. Heaps of bodies covered the ground, especially around Sandbag battery and the Barrier. British casualties were 2,300 out of a force of 8,500 (27%). The Guards Brigade alone suffered 600 casualties out of their 1300 men. Even the French, during their brief participation had lost nearly 900 men killed and wounded. The Russian bill, however, was colossal - 12,000 dead, wounded and captured. 20 Victoria Crosses were awarded to participants at the battle of Inkerman, to members of 10 regiments plus the naval brigade and the Royal Marines. Of those 20 V.C.’s, only 2 cannot be accounted for. Those awarded to privates John McDermond and John Byrne. The Battle of Inkerman was a victory for the allies (in particular the British) but it fundamentally hadn’t changed anything in the Crimean War. The siege of Sevastopol would last another 11 months. But, after their defeat at Inkerman, the Russians never tried to break the siege again. In the meantime, the British would have to face the bitter Russian winter; and it was weather and administrative inadequacies that would test the brave Victorian soldiers capacities to the very limit. The Battle of Inkerman was a battle that the generals could not control…because they could not see what was going on. in the swirling fog of a November morning in 1854 in the Crimea, British Victorian soldiers, in particular their junior officers and NCO’s, displayed a level of discipline, courage and dogged determination that has become the hallmark of the British army to this day. The battle of Inkerman - 5th November 1854 -“The Soldiers’ Battle” Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:27 Crimean War 2:34 Battle of Inkerman 4:27 Russian Attack 5:48 Gen. Pennefather 7:20 Soimonov Defeated 9:22 The Barrier 11:20 The Guards Brigade 13:33 General Cathcart 15:14 Inkerman Casualties 16:07 Lost Victoria Cross 17:08 Conclusion 18:08 The History Chap Follow me at: Instagram: Facebook: History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: “Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!“ Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the ’Comments’ section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the ’Comments’ section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the ’Comments’ section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the ’Comments’ section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
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